James Foster signs new deal at Essex

JAMES Foster has signed a new two-year contract at Essex, weeks after stepping down as captain.

Foster, 35, has made seven Test appearances for England and his spent his entire 15-year county career at Chelmsford.

The wicketkeeper has scored 12,499 first-class runs and taken 785 dismissals. He stepped down from captaincy in December with his successor yet to be announced.

Essex head coach Chris Silverwood said: “James, in my opinion, is still one of the best wicketkeepers in the world.

“He’s got vast experience and is a great individual to have around the club, especially for the younger players coming through.”

Also at Chelmsford, Essex chairman Nigel Hilliard has stepped down with immediate effect, but will stay as a member of the county’s general committee.